Before coming to Richmond, Hayden was one of the leading players in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), winning the Woodrow Medal in 1960 while playing for the University Blues.
A follower and key position player, Hayden made his senior VFL debut in 1962, kicking 17 goals from 13 appearances.
[2] This included a personal best six goal haul, against South Melbourne at Lake Oval, one of just seven wins that he participated in over the course of his career.
After having a cartilage operation, Hayden returned to training in 1965 but broke down during a practice match in April.
He was advised to stay off the football field for the rest of the year in order to resume his career in 1966, fully recovered.